As I was walking along the road My raincoat gathered' round I met a pretty lady Comin' from the town She had a basket on her arm And she stumbled as she ran So when she came before me I commanded her to stand "I cannot stop or stand" she cried "Though that's the way I feel But I dare not wait one moment For the sheriff's at my heels" "Why do they seek one such as you" I asked her in alarm "Because I killed the preacher Though I meant to do no harm For he followed me alone last night And he tried to make no sound And he tried to take me Upon the cold wet ground But as he fell upon me I struck out at his head And when he lat beside me I saw that he was dead And they will not listen to me When I tell them what was done Devil to me, to them, he was A saint to everyone For he gave sermons every night For all the world to see Against a man who's known so well Would you believe in me" So I took her to my house that night And I hid her through the day And when the search had ended I sent her on her way For I don't despise the pauper And I don't despise the priest But I do despise the Pharisee Who prays out in the street